Best step sequences under IJS

[edonice]

I generally hate the step sequences under IJS. They're too twisty, too slow, and as my friend put it, 'just a lot of arm flailing'.

There are a few sequences that have actually taken the rules and used the restrictions to create something both technically proficient and actually beautiful.

Here are two that I love:
Takahiko Kozuka's LP straight line sequence this year: http://youtu.be/azKlGGypwT8?t=4m8s

Jeremy Abbott's LP step sequences from last year. They were so different in tone, and worked to tell a story within the program:
http://youtu.be/yFpxLImyuGY?t=1m58s
http://youtu.be/yFpxLImyuGY?t=4m22s

Are there any others? I'm curious.

[lotte86]

I love Akiko Suzuki's step sequences, one of the best of these days imo

[edonice]

Oh, right! I always think of her winding up her arms at the start of her LP step sequence in 09/10, and how that was a move you could only do if you were really going to SELL it (which she did): http://youtu.be/HO1YxRVHm54?t=3m31s

I rewatched her step sequences this year, and her straight line step sequence in her long program is really beautiful within the program: http://youtu.be/lClYEUDy1xA?t=4m43s

[iarispiralllyof]

daisuke takahashi's swan lake hip hop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8pt3Q-J5WU

[gkelly]

Braden Overett

More later

[briancoogaert]

Carolina Kostner 2011 LP

[jiggs]

In general, I have to agree that I don't really like step sequences under COP... but there are some skaters that can pull them off and make them look great and effortless.

As for men, Stephane wins for me, hands down. His steps were just incredible, especially live. It's the way he moves his whole body, the connection between his upper body movement and his steps that made all of his sequences so fascinating. I found a really nice video compilation of his steps from 2004-2008, wow! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQPQu...eature=related

Patrick has great, difficult step sequences as well and he makes them look effortless, but when it comes to their execution, Stephane just put more emotion into them IMO. Here is my fav by him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...1aBCBfhM#t=90s

I also really like both of Jeremy's step sequences from this year's FP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...1aBCBfhM#t=90s as well as Daisuke's SP step sequence http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...qQvUnd0#t=146s.

Carolina IMO wins among the ladies. She always has fun, innovative and beautiful step sequences. She is so light, free and fast on her blades and I believe she is the lady who has received the most Level 4s for her sequences (5-6 times IIRC or even more, I don't really remember). My favorites of hers include:

07/08 SP - fast, innovative and lots of fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...c40Si5g#t=138s

06/07 SP - lovely with deep edges: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...CT15IRpU#t=57s

2010/2011 - exquisite long lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...IuhrZpQ#t=201s

Mao has lovely steps too, I especially like her twizzles, they look so cool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...2WvqF6s#t=212s

Akiko has exquisite step sequences, but this was especially fun and nice to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...hwsl-ZM#t=219s

[l'etoile]

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80191

Similar topic to this thread had emerged not long before. As the term 'best' in FS implies personal favorites, I'll just add my post on that thread.

Here goes my list.

Stephane Lambiel

William Tell difficult music cut and rhythm to skate, only he can dance on ice with it.
Poeta both step sequences are unbelievably amazing. You just have to watch the whole thing! I doubt any other male skaters could ever do justice to this flamenco music on ice as he did.

Jeffrey Buttle Adios Nonino Both circular and straight line sequences carried out succeedingly without losing speed is one thing, and his edge control and musicality here are second to none.

Patrick Chan
Phantom of the Opera, Tango de los Exilados I was really happy to see Patrick's musicality finally has been met with his technical consistency because, you know, he's just got that it-factor on ice.

Yuna Kim
Tango de Roxanne A little girl's pure joy of skating, it just shows.
Danse Macabre I don't understand why this step sequence had never received level 4.
Scheherezade The audience is showing and telling everything what I want to say about this step sequence
Piano Concerto in F from the part where she lands the second lutz to the final element of the program, perfect flow and thrilling climax. She's just dancing on the ice!

[briancoogaert]

My favorite of Patrick Chan : you have two of them in a row, WOW
http://youtu.be/YHOMvzABdO8?t=2m37s

[edonice]

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=80191

Similar topic to this thread had emerged not long before. As the term 'best' in FS implies personal favorites, I'll just add my post on that thread.

Somehow I missed that! Is it possible to move this thread over to that one? I feel like I've seen it done before on here, but I don't know how to do it myself.

[lakewood]

Definitely YuNa's Danse Macabre. Perfect match with the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3qaPtr5Re0

[iarispiralllyof]

this wasn't under COP but she was obviously trying to shift her footwork to a more COP friendly style. can anyone tell me how it measures up to current footwork? is it still too easy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwr4zH53-bo#t=2m41s

[Coco]

Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UJKJ...elated#t=2m40s

I also really enjoyed this, and I'm not normally a fan of Fumie's skating. Zhulin was the choreographer, I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P30AgLo4l0g#t=1m48s

[zilam98]

what about in pairs? is ice dancing even considered in this topic?

[ChelleC]

Daisuke's SP from last season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-6ERfRQGKY

Sorry, I don't know how to link it at the beginning of the footwork.

[Proustable]

what about in pairs? is ice dancing even considered in this topic?

Pairs?

Takahashi/Tran, 2010/2011 SP: "Feeling Good". Fantastic choreography, well skated, wonderful unison/pairness, very good musicality.

Savchenko/Szolkowy often have interesting footwork in their programs. My favourite is from "The Mission."

If Dance is considered, well - whole 'nother kettle of fish.

[edonice]

Takahashi/Tran, 2010/2011 SP: "Feeling Good". Fantastic choreography, well skated, wonderful unison/pairness, very good musicality.

I do really like Takahashi and Tran. He's so gentle with her, and they have great lines (as evidenced in that clip).

Also, Alissa's SP sequence this year is so good. She skates quietly and cleanly, and with such control: http://youtu.be/YQbqMT9pbqA?t=2m6s

[burntBREAD]

Pairs?

Takahashi/Tran, 2010/2011 SP: "Feeling Good". Fantastic choreography, well skated, wonderful unison/pairness, very good musicality.

Savchenko/Szolkowy often have interesting footwork in their programs. My favourite is from "The Mission."

If Dance is considered, well - whole 'nother kettle of fish.

I like Takahashi/Tran's SP footwork this year as well, it really goes well with the music (the swell), the mirrored circular spreadeagle, and the dance footwork at the end.

[galaxy]

Mao Asada's Sheherazade SP of 2011 Rostelecom Cup.
She earned Level 4 for the steps. I saw the step sequence live only at NHK, it was light, delightful, enjoyable to watch and there was coquetish and playful taste in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1hps3QldNw

She also earned Level 4 for her LP step sequence at COR. I saw it at NHK too and felt it had more power and drama and emotion than last season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOn2kyXNlbc

[edonice]

I like Takahashi/Tran's SP footwork this year as well, it really goes well with the music (the swell), the mirrored circular spreadeagle, and the dance footwork at the end.

Here it is: http://youtu.be/nvCg3HECrKQ?t=2m26s